NHL Mock Draft 2018: No.22 — K’Andre Miller
This should be the Ottawa Senators’ second pick in the first round.
The Senators sent a lottery protected first-round pick to the Colorado Avalanche in the Matt Duchene trade. They have the option of keeping the No.4 pick this year and sending next year’s first-round pick instead, but that could end up being the No.1 overall pick—depending on how this season goes.
With their first-round pick, we have projected that the Senators will take Brady Tkachuk—a big (6-foot-3 / 196 lbs.) do-it-all winger from Boston University.
With the No.22 Overall Pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, the Ottawa Senators select…
K’Andre Miller — D — United States ????????
After adding a big, bruising winger earlier in round one, I have the Senators adding a big, bruising defenseman to their prospect pool. K’Andre Miller was a force as a part of the U.S. National Development Program, standing in at 6-foot-4, 205 lbs. as an 18-year-old.
Miller is known more for his work in the defensive zone, but has a booming shot from the point that allows him to contribute at both ends of the rink. Miller had nine goals and 20 assists (29 points) in 58 games with the American U-18 team.
Miller is expected to head to the University of Wisconsin this fall, so he won’t be in the NHL for a few years. Regardless of his arrival, Miller projects to be a middle-pairing difference maker at the next level. He would join the likes of Thomas Chabot, Christian Jaros and Max Lajoie as the Senators’ top blueline prospects.
Scouting Report
Miller is a bruising, defensive–minded defenseman…solid mobility for his size, and he does not have any issues getting up and down the ice when already moving…can have some heavy boots when starting and stopping, defending against more agile attackers but handles them by being physical and using his length…communicates well with teammates and plays responsibly in his own zone…great awareness of his defensive zone and quick decision-making ability…does not hesitate to shoot the puck when he has a lane, and his booming shot is his most dangerous offensive weapon…gets good velocity on one-timers…dishes powerful and accurate tape-to-tape passes…a confident puck carrier who does not shy away from doing so…at his best when he keeps it simple…a nasty customer around the net and is physically intimidating…a solid defensive presence while still learning the position after switching to defense from forward a couple season ago…has NHL middle-pairing, physical, defensive defenseman written all over him. — Future Considerations
Rankings
- #20 — HockeyProspect.com
- #20 — FutureConsiderations.ca
- #14 — ISSHockey.com